# Billy Bowen — Short Fiction character guide

> Billy Bowen in Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Billy, old Bill, Bill, William Bowen, Bowen

**First appearance:** 0000-my-roomy

## Snapshot

A friend and hanger-on in the theatrical tales, quick to tag along on other men's schemes and quicker to agree with whoever spoke last.

## Who they are

Billy Bowen moves through the rooms where plays get pitched and bargains get struck, the kind of acquaintance who is always available and never quite the principal. He is the second voice in the room, the one who echoes a partner's enthusiasm and helps hurry a nervous author past the parts that might slow a deal. His agreeableness is the texture of Lardner's show-business satire: everyone is friendly, and nobody is listening.

## Relationships

### [Tom Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/tom_richards)

_friendship_

Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure.

### [Tom Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/tom_richards)

_friendship_

Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure.

### [Tom Richards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/tom_richards)

_friendship_

Billy Bowen and Tom Richards are close friends, possibly partners in crime or adventure.

## In the story

### [Back to Baltimore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/back-to-baltimore)

The narrator and manager who is fired from his position. He decides to jump to the Baltimore Feds and expresses his frustration with the club's management.

### [Good for the Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/good-for-the-soul)

Alias used by the confessor, Robert Frederick Warner, also known as Buck Warner.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i)

A South-Sider from Chicago, he is entertaining at Tonio's with his wit and dancing.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii)

Shows a serious, contemplative side at the football game, which captivates Miss McDonald. He is inwardly distracted and tired, thinking about sleep and his bet.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii)

Visits Ellen in Chicago, on the wagon, and begins a courtship.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv)

Courting Ellen, meets her family, and endures her father's lecture on sobriety and industry.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v)

Engaged to Ellen, tries to stay sober but fails, and misses his train due to the shopping spree.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters/billy_bowen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_62_se/characters